There is no escaping the clock – aging is a natural part of life. As we get older, many things about our bodies change, including the appearance of our skin. However, there are small steps we can all take to ensure that our skin doesn’t prematurely age. Doing these things right now can ensure that your skin looks and feels its best for longer. Although age is only a number, it’s even better when you look younger than you actually are! Let’s take a look at eight tips and tricks you can incorporate into your lifestyle to help slow down the clock on aging.
1. Be Diligent in Protecting Your Skin from the Sun
We all know that the sun can wreak havoc on your skin. Everything from sun spots to wrinkles can certainly take a toll on your appearance. You should always wear sunscreen – even on overcast days. Make sure that you wear a water-resistant SPF of at least 30, and be sure to cover your face, neck, and ears. If you’re planning on spending a lot of time outdoors, remember to reapply sunscreen as needed.
Outside of wearing sunscreen, you can also protect your skin by seeking shade whenever possible and wearing protective clothing. Protective clothing may include lightweight, long-sleeved shirts, broad-brimmed hats, and sunglasses. Some clothing options come with UV protection; this feature will clearly be marked on the tag.
2. Stop Smoking ASAP
Smoking can cause a lot of long-term health issues. Everything from respiratory issues all the way to increased risk of cancer can be linked back to smoking. If you are a smoker, it’s time to stop, as it can also prematurely age your skin. Smoking not only causes fine lines and wrinkles, but it can also dull your complexion over time. If you need support with stopping smoking, reach out to your medical provider for additional guidance and resources.
3. Opt for Sunless Tanning
Tanning in a bed or stand-up stall is not good for your skin’s health. The UV rays emitted from the tanning bed are just as harmful as those from the sun. Not only can this exposure increase your risk of skin cancer, but it can also cause sun spots, uneven complexion, and wrinkles.
The good news is that you can still get that luminous glow by relying on sunless tanning creams or lotions. Although spray tans at a spray tanning booth are convenient, they are not risk-free, so be sure to vet your provider before making an appointment.
4. Avoid Facial Expression Repetition
We all have unique facial expressions that are part of our personalities. However, the repetition of certain facial expressions (such as furrowing your brow) can cause fine wrinkles or even deep lines over time. Try to pay attention to the facial expressions you make and how they impact the appearance of your skin.
Squinting is one of the most common facial expressions that you can avoid by ensuring that you wear proper eyewear if you have difficulty seeing or wearing sunglasses on sunny days.
5. Reduce Alcohol Consumption
Drinking alcohol can have a lot of impacts on your health, especially on your skin. Alcohol dehydrates the skin, leaving it looking dull and aged. If you drink heavily, those results will occur faster. It’s best to reduce or eliminate alcohol from your day-to-day life so you can preserve your skin and other parts of your health.
6. Stick to a Skincare Routine
You should have a skincare routine that you do each morning and evening. Your exact need and skin type will determine what exactly you should incorporate into your routine. However, everybody should have a cleanser, tone, gentle exfoliator, and moisturizer as part of their daily skincare regimen.
Some people also benefit from additional facial masks, serums, and creams to take their skin to the next level. It’s best to consult a professional about your skin needs and incorporate those products as needed. Regardless of what products you choose, consistency is key to keeping your skin looking as youthful as possible for the long run.
7. Avoid the Wrong Skincare Products
Along the same lines of having a good skincare routine is making sure that you’re not using products that cause damage. If you notice stinging, burning, or redness after using a particular product, then you should stop using it. Irritating your skin over and over can cause damage and may even lead to premature wrinkles.
8. Live a Healthy Lifestyle
Eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly can also keep your skin looking fresh and vibrant. Proper exercising improves circulation, boosts your immune system, and makes you look youthful. Likewise, the foods you consume can also play a role in how fresh your skin looks. Fresh fruits and vegetables can go a long way to promoting younger-looking skin.
Last Words
We all want to look youthful for as long as possible. While we can’t totally avoid aging, we can do things to help our skin look more vibrant for longer simply by protecting our health. If you want to help slow the aging process on a cellular level, stem cell IV therapy may help by reducing inflammation and promoting healing. Making these adjustments to your skincare routine can go a long way to helping you look and feel your best well into the future.